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"O general!" cried Gotzkowsky, his countenance radiant with delight, when the adjutant had left the room, "how I do wish at this moment that you were a woman!" "I a woman!" cried Count Tottleben, laughing, "why should I be a woman?" "That I might kiss your hand. Believe me, I never thanked any man so truly and sincerely as I now do you!
The Russian commander had imposed upon the Jewish community in Berlin a special tax; and as they hesitated about paying it, and declared themselves incapable of raising such a large sum, General von Tottleben had the three elders of the Jews arrested and strictly guarded in the Vincenti House in Brueder Street. But who could despise or blame the poor Jews for not wishing to give up their gold?
General von Tottleben was alone in his chamber at least he had no visible company; but two invisible companions were there Care and Sorrow. They whispered to him uncomfortable and melancholy thoughts, making his countenance serious and sad, and drawing deep and dark lines across his brow. He was a German, and was fighting in the ranks of the enemy against his German fatherland.
The joy of Daun, of Montalembert, and of everybody in Austrian Court and Camp may be conceived. Russians to the amount of 20,000, Czernichef Commander; Tottleben Second in command, a clever soldier, who knows Berlin: these are to start from Sagan Country, on this fine Expedition, and to push on at the very top of their speed. Here surely is a feasibility!
The soldier who enters the house for theft and plunder, you condemn; but you acquit the general who devastates a whole town, and in the arrogance of his victory wishes to make himself, like Erostratos, immortal by incendiarism and arson." "Do not presume too much on my forbearance," interrupted Tottleben, stretching his arm out threateningly toward the bold speaker.
Whoever dares to plunder, is guilty of disobedience to military orders, and shall be tried by military law. The gallows for thieves and marauders say so to my men; they know that General Tottleben keeps his word. Are you satisfied now?" he asked Gotzkowsky, as the adjutant left the room. "I thank your excellency," said Gotzkowsky, hesitating.
The Council of Berlin requested me to undertake this journey to complete the transactions left unfinished by the rapid retreat of General von Tottleben." "And did you finish them?" "I was obliged to give General Tottleben a written agreement that I would return in four weeks to the Russian camp to carry out the transactions in the name of these merchants."
And this, in fact, was mainly all of bombardment that the City had to suffer; though its fate of capture was not to be averted. Is not Tottleben gone? The King is far away; what are Eugen's 5,000 against these? "On the other hand, Hulsen, leaving his Saxon affairs to their chance, which, alas, are about extinct, at any rate; except Wittenberg, all Saxony gone from us!
"Pardon, your excellency, it is you who demand; and because you are all the time demanding, I must all the time be begging. And, in fact, I am only begging for yourself." Tottleben looked at him in inquiring astonishment, but in silence. "I am not begging for favor," continued Gotzkowsky, "but for justice; and if you grant this, why, it is so much gained for you.
With glowing words and persuasive eloquence he explained to the general how impossible it was for the city to pay the demanded war contribution of four millions. Tottleben let himself again be persuaded. In the presence of this ardent, eloquent German patriot, his German heart resumed its power, and compelled him to mercy and charitableness.
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